Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly claimed he has unearthed a plot to impeach him soon after elections by disgruntled Zanu-PF party parliamentary candidates.

According to , Mnangagwa said this at a Zanu-PF healing and reconciliation workshop in Harare on Wednesday.

Mnangagwa said that the alleged plot involved party members sympathetic to former president Robert Mugabe.

Mnangagwa came to power following an army operation that led to former Mugabe‘s resignation on November 21. The army said it was targeting “criminals” around Mugabe.

“Some of those who have won these primary elections have two minds. They have gone to join the Zanu-PF wagon using various tricks, money included, to be elected with a possible view that once in Parliament, they will band together and move a motion of impeachment,” quoted Mnangagwa as saying.

* Sign up to News24‘s top Africa news in your inbox:

<strong on and

Mnangagwa‘s remarks came soon after he :

“Monday, the 30th day of July, 2018 (is) the day of the election to the office of President, the election of members of the National Assembly and election of councillors.”

The elections will be a major test for Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa, 75, will square off against Nelson Chamisa, 40, of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

He has pledges a free and fair election:

I am delighted to proclaim July 30 as the date for the 2018 harmonised elections.These elections will be free, fair and transparent, and the voice of the people will be heard.I call on all candidates to campaign peacefully and focus on the issues that really matter.